MH 777 missing - MH370 media statement

[legroom]

Well whatever the outcome of when and if the aircraft is found we have already found a few things that may change air travel in the future, even if it is eventually found to be a simple mechanical failure all the way through to the other hijacking/theft or other theories.

1. Passport control and actual use of the Interpol stolen passport database by more nations (despite the fact that the 2 pax on stolen passports possibly have nothing at all to do with the dissapearence of MH370)

2. Another serious look at ACARS and Transponder systems security (you would expect that pilots will lose the option to switch off transponders/ACARS and other such in flight/or while engines running). Possibly also more flight deck security changes - on both sides of the door.

3. Closer scrutiny of management of airspace and airport security in Malaysia, other political blowback within Malaysia and possibly further afield.

Obviously the eventual determination of the cause of the incident will throw up other changes that could affect how we all travel.

I did obliquely refer to #2 in a Q to JB but he was not that enamoured of that idea.

One would have thought there is no indication to turn off the flight responders once in flight.

That would firewall the possibility we are seeing now: possible deliberate switching off the two transponders.

Would some experts (well, incl. the armchair ones) suggest why the transponders should be able to be turned off in flight ?

I'd suggest they have their own tamper-proof power supply / circuit which only the engineering home base would be able to access.

 

[amaroo]

It's different for a very passionate pilot, flying is not work... it's his life. I don't find the home simulator setup suspicious at all. I think many pilots are into flight simulation as well.

Nothing is suspicious. Right up until you become the No 1 suspect for hijacking a plane with a couple of hundred souls on board!

 

[N860CR]

She wasn't that heavy considering she hit cruise in 20 minutes of FL350 and had tanks at 45% cap.

A long way from 350 to 450. With a full load of pax, cargo, half fuel and flying towards Vietnam I really can't see it... I don't fly the 777 though so I can't be sure.

 

[markis10]

A long way from 350 to 450. With a full load of pax, cargo, half fuel and flying towards Vietnam I really can't see it... I don't fly the 777 though so I can't be sure.

I think its safe to assume the military radar would be reasonably accurate, anything over FL410 would have served the purpose, same reason why she was reported at FL260 after crossing the peninsula. No TCAS to help.

 

[Jousams]

Somebody knows where the plane is and there is obviously a reason we all don't.

I do however have faith that the powers at be know what their doing.

As such I'm going to change my speculations to most pressing mystery of our times, bruce jenners sex change.

Laters peeps!

 

[Mogul]

It wouldn't surprise me if the US know where it is and have been planing on how to get it back.

 

[ozkid]

Given the reports of some mobile phones ringing the next morning, it would indicate somewhere over land. Really wonder what the call logs will bring up...

This. I presume the telecos/NSA can find which base stations the mobile phones are closest to? Even if the receiver didn't pick up?

 

[N860CR]

I think its safe to assume the military radar would be reasonably accurate, anything over FL410 would have served the purpose, same reason why she was reported at FL260 after crossing the peninsula. No TCAS to help.

The most logical explanation is a period of loss of control (of sorts anyway) that saw fairly rapid excursions from controlled flight (that evidently were rectified) and that would explain the excessive altitude variations. There's no way it actually cruised at FL450 for an extended period (which is the point I was initially trying to make).

 

[markis10]

The most logical explanation is a period of loss of control (of sorts anyway) that saw fairly rapid excursions from controlled flight (that evidently were rectified) and that would explain the excessive altitude variations. There's no way it actually cruised at FL450 for an extended period (which is the point I was initially trying to make).

I am not so sure, lets see what comes out, as it stands the reports are hardly rock solid.

 

[moa999]

Think the mobiles ringing has been described as normal behaviour for when a phone was last registered on a foreign network. It is a phantom ring to give the various carriers more time to locate the phone

 

[medhead]

I tried watching on ABC24 but it just pixellates all the time like all the digital ABC channels. Does anyone else get this? Every other channel is fine except the four ABC channels. Been like this for weeks.


More speculation to add to the speculation it seems.

My Sydney hotel loses abc regularly due to lack of signal. They've spent heaps on their distribution system. But it still happens. Still this has been happening for months so probably not related.

 

[amaroo]

I did obliquely refer to #2 in a Q to JB but he was not that enamoured of that idea.

One would have thought there is no indication to turn off the flight responders once in flight.

That would firewall the possibility we are seeing now: possible deliberate switching off the two transponders.

Would some experts (well, incl. the armchair ones) suggest why the transponders should be able to be turned off in flight ?

I'd suggest they have their own tamper-proof power supply / circuit which only the engineering home base would be able to access.

Good Q. Would like to know the answer! This incident would seem to override anything other than the most critical of reasons.

 

[get me outta here]

That's if all the US Depts that have an interest in this are actually communicating with each other, and not keeping their own secrets/turf - business as usual for them.

It wouldn't surprise me if the US know where it is and have been planing on how to get it back.

 

[Jousams]

They've spent heaps on their distribution system.

We've*. .

 

[markis10]

I did obliquely refer to #2 in a Q to JB but he was not that enamoured of that idea.

One would have thought there is no indication to turn off the flight responders once in flight.

That would firewall the possibility we are seeing now: possible deliberate switching off the two transponders.

Would some experts (well, incl. the armchair ones) suggest why the transponders should be able to be turned off in flight ?

I'd suggest they have their own tamper-proof power supply / circuit which only the engineering home base would be able to access.

The risk of them being turned off for malicious reasons is not as great as the risk of fire. Despite all four aircraft in 9-11 also having theirs turned off. One of the reasons this is so, is why its called secondary radar, primary radar should still provide coverage.

 

[medhead]

We've*. .

No, they have. Not me, I just stay there every week.

 

[prozac]

If it was a plane load of Israelis they would have the plane back by now and the movie would be released next week.

 

[AIRwin]

I don't like that thought at all....there are really only 2 people on board the plane who had the knowledge to divert the plane, turn transponders off etc...

Are you sure of that, do you have the CVs of all the passengers?

I thought there was a much earlier post on this but now I can't find it. Perhaps I saw it on another website and this now seems more relevant (given the latest information on the possible flight corridor):
Missing Malaysia Airlines jet: Investigation paying 'special attention' to Chinese Uighur passenger

 

[legroom]

The risk of them being turned off for malicious reasons is not as great as the risk of fire. Despite all four aircraft in 9-11 also having theirs turned off. One of the reasons this is so, is why its called secondary radar, primary radar should still provide coverage.

Markis10

Risk of fire ?

You lost me there.

Care to expand on that, please ?

 

[markis10]

Markis10

Risk of fire ?

You lost me there.

Care to expand on that, please ?

As JB747 said:




Dont forget a fire in the coughpit was why one of the other 777s was written off.